I present to you the duality of Shaky Knees:
On the one hand, you could say that the festival kicked off with less anticipation than in years prior. Among the people I know – those hardened regulars of the festival and Atlanta music scenes – there was a sense that this years’ Shaky lineup was less exciting than in years past, that an uninspiring undercard paired with well worn headliners to create something that felt out of style. Paste Magazine dropped a pretty scathing pre-festival review of Shaky at large.
On the other hand, those misgivings seemed mostly localized to people who go to a lot of shows. It was clear when Shaky sold out faster than ever in its history, that the more casual music fans were indeed interested in the lineup. And that feeling was validated when by 9:30 am on Friday, despite the rain, a line of Greta Van Fleet fans waiting for the gates to open stretched around the block.
So, despite the rain and despite any music critic misgivings – and doubly despite the whole Georgia Gun Law thing that thankfully came and went without any weirdo challenges or redneck issues – Shaky Knees turned 10 the same way it turned nine, eight, seven, six and five: with an opening set from Songs For Kids.
After that, a drizzly day and a clear evening filled with music.
The daytime lineup on Friday was essentially a who’s who of bands I’ve never heard of: Desure, Matt Maltese, Charlotte Sands, Love Joy, Arlie, Surf Curse and Cautious Clay. I’m sure those acts have dedicated fan bases excited to see them on a festival lineup, but it was a funny feeling to have such a long stretch of unfamiliar opening bands back to back across four stages.
Among the early performers, the standouts were clear. Atlanta locals Gringo Star put on a solid set, and sounded like the first really good band to play at the festival. If you missed them, they play The Earl again on June 2. In a year that featured several local to Atlanta acts, it felt right. I would love to see more Atlanta artists on the undercard in the years ahead.
Spacey Jane also brought energy early, and attracted a large crowd of adoring fans. Have you ever noticed that it seems like all the best new music comes out of Australia?
LA’s Illuminati Hotties kept their daytime set rowdy. And two acts – Copeland and Digable Planets were the first of many at Shaky’s ten year anniversary to perform entire albums, playing Beneath Medicine Tree, and Reachin’, respectively.
For all of that, Shaky Knees felt like it kicked off in earnest with Be Your Own Pet, who put on a set that felt reminded me a lot of Amyl and the Sniffers, which says a lot about the forward energy this Nashville band created in those short years between 2003 and 2008. Fast-paced, high-energy, and raucous guitars, against lead singer Jemina Pearl raw, aggressive and provocative vocals.
Grouplove brought the kind of infectious, upbeat sound and high-energy live performance that has made them a staple of the indie rock scene since 2009. And another band with a dedicated following Placebo was a fan favorite.
Shout out to Killer Mike who filled in for Manchester Orchestra on short notice. What is there to say about Killer Mike that hasn’t already been said? He’s an Atlanta icon, and he used his time on the stage to preach the good word, the way he does. He was a hell of a last minute replacement, and he even brought fellow Atlanta legend Big Boi out for a surprise guest appearance. RTJ turns ten for four nights at The Eastern, 10/2-10/5.
There are cult followings, and there is Greta Van Fleet. The last time they came around Shaky, they were so young, having just graduated from high school. Nowadays, the boys are in their 20s, and still sounding like the one hell of a Led Zeppelin cover band. But the difference: the fans. Holy shit they have a lot of fan girls. There was a pretty serious line in the hours before Shaky opened it’s gates, and most of those people had their Greta shirts on.
On the absolute other end of the spectrum: Peaches. Wholesome family fun for tweener girls? No. When it comes to Peaches, there is no other set like it. Costume changes. Wardrobe malfunctions. Crowd, surfing. Shock value.
As the sun set on Shaky Friday, Karen O. and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs ran the crowd through more than 20 years of NYC punk garage art rock. It’s been like 20+ years since Karen O and the team dropped “Heads Will Roll,” and that A-Track remix still completely slaps.
Meanwhile, 90’s rap act Cypress Hill brought a nice element, with some hazy California throwback rap. Their set – in which they performed their entire Black Sunday album – was nothing if not insane in the membrane.
And as the first day of Shaky drew to a close, I learned a lot about The Killers. For example, I was able to discern that they live in Las Vegas; a fact I gleaned from careful study of Brandon Flowers purple velvet tuxedo jacket, his hard as a helmet coiffed hair, and his crooner-harkening achy-back dance moves. The whole presentation was straight out of MGM Grand presents: The Killers – 300 nights per year. When I went to look them up, lo and behold they are indeed a Las Vegas original, which actually makes the vibe work.
Key learning number two: The Killers are a Christian rock band. Well, ok, they say that they aren’t. But as a life long member of the Mormon church, it’s pretty hard to ignore the religious undertones in the music once you hear it. Like, Mr. Brightside is definitley JC right?
Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies, choking on your alibis
But it’s just the price I pay, destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes, ’cause I’m Mr. Brightside
And another one – “All These Things That I’ve Done”. That’s a song about returning to faith despite having strayed away from religion.
When there’s nowhere else to run
Is there room for one more son?
One more son
If you can hold on, hold on
All that to say, The Killers – they aight. They put on a fun show. It felt like going to church in Las Vegas, but the kind that will let Elvis marry you to a stranger you met on a craps table earlier that night. One day down, two to go. The prevailing feeling: we need some new bands to get excited about in 2023.
All photos by Mike Gerry
